Officine Panerai

I just saw PAM 311 and it has a bubble saphire crystal. Is PAM 317 exactly the same watch as PAM 311 except in ceramic? Specifically, does PAM 317 have the exact same bubble saphire crystal?

It is exactly the same watch, with two differences: the case is made of ceramic and the movement is PVD coated (although the newer 317s no longer will have the PVD coated movement, but will adopt the smoked sapphire on the back, same as with the PAM00335). The 311 has a normal saphire back and a non-coated movement. Btw also: the 311 has a croco strap and the 317 a buffalo leather strap, but I don't really count the strap as a difference given that it can easily be replaced.

Hope this answers your question!

Ticktocktimesup answered your question, so I don't have anything else to add.

Are you contemplating getting a PAM311 or a PAM317?  If budget is no issue, I'd get the PAM317 with the PVDed movement

Cheers,
Anthony

Anthony,

Agree with you, but I have one question there: what I have been hearing is that quite a number of PAMs 317 with the PVD'ed movement have been returned to the factory due to performance issues....

As we all know there is a lot of talking going on about the 317 and ADs are trying to persuade their clients to buy the 317 L-series and not moan about not getting the K-series as the K-series have performance issues. I know there are various 317 K-series owners on this forum. Any problems ever with your pieces guys?

But even if true, I would still buy the K-series, as irrational as that may sound.

Best,

T

We have several PAM317 w/ PVD'ed movement owners here, and I don't recall any of them mentioning anything about unsatisfactory performance issues.

- AT

This message has been edited by AnthonyTsai on 2010-07-18 08:51:59

Hi Anthony,

My friend bought a 317K straight from Boutique and in less than few hours, the watch fully winded was running slow. My friend was really unhappy and frustrated. Return to the service center and was told "no-oil", now under supervision.

Fortunately, touch wood, for me is now 13th day, so far so good....

Best regards,

Nien

nt.

I don't even know there is more than 1 version of PAM 317 (PVD and non-PVD movement). I ordered PAM 317 awhile ago and was told that it should be coming after the summer holiday (apparently factory is closed now). I happened to see PAM 311 at AD this past weekend and saw the bubble sapphire crystal. Personally, I don't like it. It makes it hard to see the dial under bright lights as well as make the watch (which is already thick) even thicker. As such, I'm having second thoughts about PAM 317.

Mine works perfectly for the past month and a half - seems pretty accurate and the power reserve seems to last longer than it indicates.

The domed crystal is actually my favorite part other than the ceramic casing, as it really sets the 1950 case apart from other watches. Having a flat crystal seems so well, 2D.